Los Palacios

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Terroir

• The zone is located in the lowland plain north of the lower Guadalquivir, in the province of Sevilla, between latitudes 37° 06' and 37° 18' N, with an almost entirely flat relief and a mean altitude of 20 metres above sea level.
• The climate is of the semi-continental Mediterranean subtype with warm summers and a degree of oceanic influence owing to proximity to the Atlantic; autumn–winter rainfall ranges between 400 and 600 mm.
• Spring–summer rainfall is sparse, between 100 and 200 mm, with an average of only one or two rainy days during the summer period.
• The area is classified as Winkler Region V, with a heat summation index of 2,250 to 2,440 degree-days, while the Huglin heliothermal index reaches values of 2,660 to 2,900 degree-days, and even 3,000 degree-days in some vintages.
• Soils are sandy loam in type, with 10% clay content, very loose, deep, uncompacted, well-drained, with a near-neutral pH and no active limestone, and less than 1% organic matter.

• In 1963 the growers joined together in the Hermandad de Labradores to build their own winery, the seed of the Sociedad Cooperativa Nuestra Señora de Las Nieves, formally established in 1987.
• Holdings are structured as smallholdings (minifundist) and the harvest is carried out by hand, with mandatory collection in crates of under 25 kg and bunch selection in the vineyard.
• In 2002, producers established the precise boundaries of the production zone, including only those parcels where the vineyard expresses the typicity of the geographical indication.

• The wines show freshness on the palate, with good acidity and specific fruity notes, as a consequence of the extremely early harvest, which contrasts with and is balanced by the alcoholic strength.
• Alcoholic strength is generally medium-high, with an unctuous character in aged wines, while white wines must attain a minimum natural alcoholic strength of 10.5% by volume.

• An extremely early harvest is only achievable thanks to a very high heliothermal index, which produces the balance between alcoholic strength and freshness on the palate that characterises the wines.

Facts drawn from the specification's terroir-link section by automatic interpretation — see the specification (pliego de condiciones).

All appellations in Spain

Sources

• National pliego de condiciones (PDF)
• eAmbrosia register (EU) — File number PGI-ES-A1411
• Official trade body site — JdA — IGP Los Palacios